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Ichimura Japanese Garden in Miami, a Hidden Oasis of Peace

If you are looking to get away from the city within the city look no more this magnificent garden is the ideal spot for a peaceful walk, long meditation, yoga, etc. and is all free!!!

In the 1950’s, Mr. Kiyoshi Ichimura became enamored with the City of Miami and began sending dismantled objects and materials from Tokyo along with carpenters, gardeners and a landscape architect to design and construct, what in 1961 would become, the “San-Ai-An Japanese Garden.”

The original location of the garden was Bayside Park in downtown Miami. It was moved to Watson Island when Bayside Park was redeveloped in 1960s. It was again moved to its present 1-acre site to facilitate construction of Jungle Island in 2001.

The City of Miami and landscape architect Lester Collins Pancoast and architect Thorn Grafton worked cooperatively with the Japanese Consul and The Friends of the Japanese Garden to redesign and reconstruct the Ichimura Japanese Garden.

Admission
Free. The garden is not generally staffed, so you are on your own.

Location and Parking
Located beside Jungle Island on Watson Island on the westbound lane of I-395 (MacArthur Causeway) between Miami Beach (South Beach at 5th. Street) and the City of Miami. Regrettably at present there is no official parking. To one side is a boat ramp which has a minimum US$ 10.00 parking fee, and on the other side is Jungle Island which charges US$ 7.00 for parking. You could of course park across the MacArthur Causeway for free, but would risk grievous bodily harm trying to cross over this speedway.

My father designed this, and died just as it was being constructed. My mother, cousin, and I did our best to complete it in his vision without his training. It looked so raw, and not up to his standards. I live in Canada, and have not been back to see it grow. Thank you for your photos, they make all the effort in 100 F heat worth it:D

I am honored by your comment, I visit the garden from time to time, it brings me peace. Thank you and your family for making this wonderful oasis available for public to enjoy. I hope one day you come back and visit, for it truly is a hidden gem within this congested city.

And thank you for the photo of the stone Hotei. He’s been there since the 1960’s & probably is the only thing on the island that hasn’t changed. I think it was 1968 when I first rubbed his tummy for good luck.

Joan, apologies for not seeing your reply until now! I hope you continue to take photos, and would like permission to use a couple in my portfolio. This would be a very kind act, as I will need to start my career over again as a Canadian immigrant.